Black Sabbath has been so influential in the development of heavy
metal rock music and have become a defining force in the style. The
group took the blues-rock sound of late '60s acts Cream and Vanilla
Fudge to its logical conclusion, slowing the speed, accentuating the
bass, and emphasizing screaming guitar solos and howled vocals full
of lyrics expressing mental anguish and dark fantasies. They merged
them together with their edginess and formed one of metal's most prolific
bands in the world. As everyone knows, Ozzy began his career with this
band, and through many ups and downs, became known as "The Prince
of Darkness" thanks to this beginning.
Main Riff
The main riff to this song is really tricky. The first and third measures
are identical, as are the second and fourth. Begin by placing your 1st
finger on the twelfth fret on the "low E" string. Barre it
also on the "A" string. You will be using your 3rd finger
for the hammer-ons in the riff. A hammer-on is when you go from a higher
note to a lower note, only striking the first note(s).
The second measure is a little trickier. You will be moving your 1st
finger to the "A" string. Use your 3rd finger to play the
fourteenth fret on the same string. The rest of the measure is self-explanatory.
Verse
For the verse, notice that for the first two measures you are only
playing rather speedy power chords. Do this by placing your 1st finger
on the twelfth fret on the "low E" string. Place your 3rd
or 4th finger on the fourteenth fret on the "A" string.
For the third measure, just move the same fingers you are using to the
appropriate frets as designated on the tablature.
In the fourth measure, you will need to use your 1st finger to play
the tenth fret on the "A" string. Use your 3rd and 4th fingers
to play the twelfth frets on the "D" and "G" strings.
Then, move those same fingers back to the "low E" string like
you did in the measure before. Notice that once again for the next chord
you are playing what you did in the first and second measures. End the
lesson by using any finger and barring the twelfth frets on the "D"
string, the "G" string, and finally the "B" string.
